Don't Neglect A common oase of Piles. It may lead to serious results. When people generally under stand that all Euoh fatal diseases its Fistula, Ulcer of the Rectum, Fissure, etc, almost invariably liu gin in a simple case of Piles, thay will learn the wisdom of taking prompt treatment for the first ap pearance of this trouble. Do-au's Ointment is unequalled for every form of Piles, Itching, Bleeding, Protruding, and Blind Piles, mid hundreds of liven havo been saved liy UHing this choap, hat clfectivs remedy right at tbo start, hecausa at Buch times a single pot lins often elfected a cure, while in the old, deep-seated, chronic cases .sevonil pots . are sometimes uec-jssary. Hero is n case: — Mrs. T. Maiden, Sohooltowu, Cobar, says: — 'Two years ago my husband was suffering terribly from Itching FIlos, tho irritation at timo3 being particularly trying, this be ing especially tho cu=o during the hot weather. A friend advised him to use Doan's Ointmout, and ho spoke so highly of thi...

Public Opinion . To the Editor WESTERN Age. ? Sir. — ' Grajsier' bus a ' tug.' I wonder if it is a tug-boat to take him to Dawson City, where they have no droughts and golden fleece, but goldeu nuggets, and where thoy sometimes shoot one another, and where, too, they also desert their lifelong com panions ? Mr. Grnzior-cinn-rtiatuarant pro prietor, now you bnve taken on the role of Baal em 'a ass, you must find the handling of the undersigned is a vastly different task to handling a little kitty or a soft torn. Your aspersions on tho reliability of tho word of a non-partisan in this, your self-sought biding, brings to mind tho words of tho famous Bobbie Burns, which you might take to heart — if you have one. Oh, would some Power the giftio gio us To see ourselves as other* eco us. Yours, Ke., CHAS. J. WOOLLETT.

A Series of Fatalities. Bevornl Colwr families will have sad-Biid sorrc wing inomoriefl of 19H Christmas for many years to come, for death has been buBy amongst ub ninco the holidays commenced. In deed, never before have wo been called upon to chronicle three fatal accidents in four days, yet that is what has happened hero since last Wednesday. Manv looM people havo en idea that when a violent death occurs, two more nro sure to follow ; but whether there is anything i' Iho superstition or not.wo aro unaliln to (.ay, although it bus been observed that on more than one occasion three deaths in this way Imvo followed each othor in quick jtticcension. But tho latest Beries of fatalities came about with such start ling suddenness mid rapidity that tho whole coininuniLv was shocked bo yond measure. Wo bad scarcely time to realiso tho fnct that an unfortunate ?nan had heou cluctrocutcd at tbo Oolmr elcctiio lighting station on Wodnoeday oveuiug, whon tho news enmo from \Vri/;l-lvillo that ...

SMASH ESSEN FOR EVER! THK VITAL TARGET. 'We have' to keep pace with Essen now,' says .Mr. 11. (.1. Welts in the LuuJuu Dully Chronicle. -We have lo keep pace with 133 nun, ami as soon as possible we have to get »l Easen and smash up Essen for evor. Wcst liliulia, and nut Ucrlin, i.s the vital turget in tills western war. In u war uf material— that i.s to say, in a. Western European war— It, Is at this centre of niunufacturv.and not the centre of Kuvernineut, that a hostile army must strike. THIS WAi: OF MATERIAL. 'In this war of material it I.s Ucmiuny and Russia only that seem to have been fully equipped for u struggle, of the magnitude of thu present war. Russlu had her surprise and learnt her lesson when the Kaiser dunned Ills ?shining armor' on behalf of Austria. Now the KusHlnn armor gleams even brighter than the German; it is astonishingly new and com plete. 'We on our part were prepared to the last button Indeed most admirably for tho Expc illlluiiiiry Komi anil the Indian Ar...

Drowned in a Tank. AT' WRIGHTVILLE. A, sad drowning fatality occurred at Wrightville on Thursday morn ing, whereby a little son -of Alder man and Mrs. D. Geary, aged about 2i years, lost its life. It appears from particulars supplied to the police that Mrs. Geary missed the child, and after searching for it found its dead body floating in a waterhole at the back of the re sidence. As no one .witnessed the accident, there is no evidence as to how tbo little one got into the water, but it is supposed it slipped in while playing about the bank. Much sympathy is expressed .for Mr. and Mrs. Geary in tbeir boroavment. The combined oboirs of the Pres byterian and Methodist Churohes, assieted by friends, visited the Cobar Hospital on Christmas Day, and sang hymns to the patients. Mr. D. MaoGregor (Presbyterian) gave a'- brief address. The musio was very much appreciated by the inmates of the institution. TJie death took place at Hillstpn, on Saturday, the 19th hint., after a long painful il...

LATEST FASHION. Nineteen fourteen 'ill certainly Ijc known in tlio history uf ilro.-s .-is tlie 'circular year,' for never iiuvc such i|uautitics of' circular llouue.es, |-i'|iIiiiii-, runic.*, panniers ami ruffles becu Ufvd. A I tor iiiiiny years ol' unpopularity the cape is ??viniiii; into favour, niiiicurinj; first in a very iniM form on some of the new dresses, and then in wonderful brocades nml embroideries it is appeal ing for evening wear. A vory smart navy Line tall'eta is tduiwn iu our il lustration.

To the Editor Western Age. Sir — I trust I am not encroaching on your valuable space, but 1 would liko you to publish. a few remarks in reference to tbo controversy as to feed depots on stock routes. In falling in with tho views of Mr. Woollett, I have no hesitation in statinc that tho idea is one of utmost value to all people connoctod with travelling stock, and had the idea been put into practice say, five years ago, there would ho no anxiety to people travelling stock now. They would bo assured of at least one feed in twenty-four hours for their stock. I noticed bow wrongly ' Grazier' took the viow of things ; probably he was thinking of losing some cheap country,, and had the idea th&amp;t the whole of the stock routes should be fenced, and not dopots properly ar ranged. Most graziers and drovers think the idea capital, and like most things that aro useful, do not take up with people concerned until too late. Grazier' would have shewn better taste had he avoided personalitie...

BAYONET FIGHTING. N.Z. TROOPS IN CAMP. ANOTHER 5000 MEN. With a determination to excel, and tho con stant training they are rcccivlnc, the Sccona Itolnforcemonts nbw In camp at Trontham (the First Reinforcements sa'cdlrl'''tlLDlJ0 Muln Expeditionary Force), aro making rapid progress, uM mny now bo said to have had their rough edges rubbed oft (says the Wei llngton Post). For tho past four weeks they havo boon kept hard at work, and aro now entering upon more advanced duties. a NKVV DEPARTURE. Tho Infantry, of whom some 800 are now under canvas, huvo been putting '- 'o™' particularly good work, and next week will Btart outposts and company attack uud ue ein°uddltio» to this they are being taught bayonet fighting, for tho first time In Now Zealand. Sergeant Oaring, an cx-Iinperlal Army man. who Is an expert In this form ot training, has been specially told off, and Is now engaged in Instructing two men from each company to act as instructors on tho voyago going home. These men are now...

^ALIENS AND THE DOMINIONS. Mr. Kowlund Hunt, a member of tho Uouso ol Common*, writes to the London Globe: — I am glad to tee thut you arc making a great offort to get people to raallHo thai tho present and death to our raco and Empire — and that while It lastii. no lmir-mcu»urc» lor our security should bo tolerated. Aliens of enemy nationality now living In* the luly'urilnit 'heir blonds and' reluUon'°lo 'join them, no as to avoid tho consequences of the war. Many are even now accepting the advice and arc going In noutral ships from neutral ports. When I put this question before Mr. Horcourt. tho Colo nial Secretary, and ventured to suggest that It wouia oo very nara on our worjcing people, emi grating alter the war, to nnd that employment In tho Dominions hud mostly been secured by enemy allons, ho replied 'thut ho considered that this question (ot tho Immigration ot nnemy aliens Into Australia) won entirely ono for the Commonwealth Clovornment to decide.' I conclude, therefore, t...

WITH THE REFUGEES. DEPTHS OP HUMAN KINDNESS. . ONE SHINING LAMP. THE GOOD LITTLE KING. A long, poplar-lined road, a canal on oue side, and rich, cultivated fields on tho other, lying out strnlght as a. ruler to tho horlaon. Along Its seemingly interminable stretches a fleeing people— an entire country In flight. That is what I havo looked on for tlio last two days (writes John Prloleau from Let frlnckoncke, Belgium, to tho London Dally Chronicle). Tramping along, mile after mile, a refugee among refugees, I have hud a constant, over clinnging picture of tho bucks of a nation suffering the lnst Indignities. Yesterday I set out along tho highway which leads from tho middle of Flanders to Dunkirk, to walk with destitute Belgium. And I cannot find words to express the sense of desolation and hopeless misery which envelops ono at tho sight. a ~ Along this tragic turnpike have lied for four days, and will lice for many more, the people of Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Ostcnd, Tiiourout, Roulers...

THE KAISER'S INCOME. HOW HIS MONEY IS INVESTED. Thanks to the ndvicc of llnancicrs who, for obvious reasons, he admitted to bis friend ship, tlie Kaiser's private fortune has In creased to such an extent of late years that It was estimated a short time ago by the eminent German authority, Hcrr Rudolph Martin, that he is easily the richest man In Germany, havtns an annual income of one million sterling derived from possessions valued ut approximately £20,000,000. Apart from the Kaiser's fortune, his son, tho Crown Prince, has a separate income of £50,000. drawn from property valued at near ly £1,000,000, while the Kaiser's brother, Prince Henry, enjoys some £30,000 n year on account of an estate worth half a million. Altogether the principal members of the Hohenzollern family own property valued at approximately £25,000,000. The Kaiser's fortune has been mainly built up by Investments In many businesses. He hns some very large holdings in the big German steamship lines, Is extensivel...

Electrocuted ! FATALITY AT THE POWER HOUSE. Aocording to the evidonoo adduoed at tho inquiry into the cause of tho death of Francis Bondeson, wbioh ocourrod at tbo Cohar oloctrio light ing station about 8 o'olook on Wed nesday evening last, the sad ooqur rence waB undoubtedly purely aooi dental, and no blame is attachable in tho slightest degree to anyone. It appears that the heavy rain which fell in Cohar pn tho provious Monday partially floodod tbo power house. The managor, Mr. A. C. Gibbons, then found it imrjorativo to bale the water which had accumulated as a result of tho storm in the oxcavatiou underneath Iho dynamo. But to do this Mr. Gibbons first stoppod tho machinery. Further rain fell on Wednesday, whioh soomingly put more water under tho dynamo, but not sufficient to cause any inconvon ionce However, it would appear that Bondeson, during tbo tomporary alisonca of tho inauacor. thouubt it was nocossary to remove tho water, and proceodod^to do bo. No ono ac tually saw wha...

THE INQUEST. At the Courthouse, on Monday af tornoon, Mr. Coronor N. Morrison held an inquest into the cause of the death of Boudeson, when the follow- ' ing particulars were elicited : — ; Senior- oonstablo Lean gave evi dence as to being informed of the fatality and subsequently searching 'tho body, upon which be found a silver watch, pocket knife, two keys and a shilling. lit) noticed a mark on docoasod'H nose us though he had fallen against aoruotliinC- Deceasoil appeared to bo a man about 49 or 50 yearH of nge, and had no relatives in the dintrict. Hit) personal property consisted of a gun, a rifle, two silver watches and a bicycle Ho also hail four sharos in tbo Luslio mino. Polico-constahlo A. Taylor doposed that ho visited the povvor house about 8 p in. on 23rd instant, where he saw the body lying on the floor of the oucino room, about throe feet from the generator. Ho oxamiued the body, but could doteot no sign of life. Dr. Letoher arrived shortly aftor wards, and subsequen...

SHRAPNEL SHELL. 'Shrapnel shell,' of which we have heard so much in the preseut war, was the invention of Lieutenant-General Henry Shrapnel, who entered the Royal Artillery iu 1779. It was after ho had served with tho Duke of York's army in Flanders, and somo Jiuie after the siege of Dunkirk, that he invented the form of ease-shot which eventually came to lila- nn inn ITa rotirnri from net'lVO service iu 1825, when the Uovernmeiit recognised his inventive geniuu liy the granting of au allowance of £1200 a year in addition to his Army pension. Shrapnel aro thin cases of tough .steel containing a large number of bullets scientifically .arranged — in the British Artillery 203 and in tho French and German 300— with' a small bursting charge at the base of the projectile. The bursting charge breaks the thin steel ease, when tho bullets sweep forward with the velocity imported to the projectile by the gun. From this we can see how more wounds are caused by shrapnel than by rifle tire. Slir...

TOLSTOY'S PROPHECY. A remarkable prophccy, made to his niece, the Countoss Nastn^ia, by Leo Tol stoy, Russia's great writer and philoso pher, shortly before his death, is nuoted iu the October issue of 'Muusey's Muga zinc.' Tho prophecy is as follows:— * * Tho great conflagration will start abou£ 11U2, set by the torch oi the first arm iu the Countries of south-eastern Kurope. It will develop into a destructive calamity iu HU3. Iu that year 1 seo all Europo in llame^ aud bleeding. I hear the lamentations of huge battlefields. But about the year 1D15 a strange figure from the North — a new Napolcou — outers the stage of the bloody drama. Ho is a man of little militaristic training, a writer or a journalist, but in his grip most of Kurope will remain uutil 1925. The end of the great calamity will mark a new political era for the Old World. There will be left uo Empires or King doms, but the world will form a federa tion of the United btates of Nations. There will remain ouly four grea...

DRIVING AWAY MOSQUITOES. Closed wolls and cisterns arc favour ite places for 'mosquitoes to deposit their eggs, and for tho purpose of driv ing them away the use of uaplfthalin has been suggestod. Naphthalin, how ever, imports an unpleasant taste and odour to drinking water, so instead of sprinkling it ou the surfaen of the water, after the manner of usiug oil for the purpose of ridding the water of mosquito and gnat larvae, a good j plan is to suspend a bag containing I naphthalin over the water. The readily i volatilized substance will charge the air in auy confined space and drive away the female mosquito thnt solects this plaee for her eggs. The same method might be effectively adopted for the protectiou of dark and damp places about houses. Experiments have shown i that naphthalin vapour 'resulting from natural evaporation is 7alal to larvae iu water as well as to the adult Culox pipiens.

QUIETEST 8PQT ON EARTH. If you should ask your friends to name tho quietest place in the world, you would probably got a great varioty of answers. Some would say the sum mit of a mountain; others, a distant place in tho middle of the ocean, or an isolated spot in the desert. But on tho mountain peaks nnd in tho quiet of the wildernoss thore aro usually birds to break tho silence, and the roar of the wind and tho dashing of the waves disturb the poaco of tlio ocean. Wo need not flee from civilisation to And tho quietest place in the world, for it is in tho heart oi* a city — the city of Utroeht in Holland. This quiet place is a room for scientific research, especially built to avoid all vibration. Professor H. Zwaardomaker, a well known Dutch physicist nnd physiologist, had it built. An attempt to construct a noise-proof room had been made onco before by Professor Wandt in Leipzig, but that was not entirely successful. The menus that Professor Zwaardo maker used aro worthy to be reco...

i-v, PROTECTING THE CHILDREN. HI8T0BY AND DEVELOPMENT OF STATE CH1LDBEN BELIEF DEPABTMENT. II. Tho Central Dopot referred t0 in the provious articlo ia 'Ormond House,' ''?j -? tho distributing agency through which largo numbors of childron pass iu transfer to boarding-out homos or iu re turn to their paronts. 1.UD3 childron passed through 'Ormond Houso' last year. Thoy aru detained only for n day or two, and in no enso is a child permanently kept there. 'Ormond iiouso is also a shelter under the Neglected Children's Act for tho ac commodation of girls and for boys up to 7 years. Detention in their caso also ib only temporary. Another special louture of tho Board's administration is tho »use of special probationery farm homeB for tho treat ment of oertain of the Board's soxually degenerato wards. This homo is at Hayuiond Tcrraco, and ia for tho ac commodation of somo 20 to 30 children, who, in tho absenco of such special pro vision, rapidly deteriorated and even tually becamo iumatcs...